Where does the first stage of aerobic cellular respiration take place within a cell?

• A. Mitochondrial matrix.
• B. Inner mitochondrial membrane.
• C. Intermembrane space.
• D. Cytoplasm.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that aerobic cellular respiration consists of multiple stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
2. Identify that the first stage of aerobic cellular respiration is glycolysis.
3. Recall that glycolysis is the process of breaking down glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH in the process.
4. Recognize that glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell, not within the mitochondria.
5. Conclude that the first stage of aerobic cellular respiration, glycolysis, takes place in the cytoplasm.